Schumer touts $2.4 million plan for East Main Street

The city of Rochester has applied for a $1.6 million federal grant to help fund up to 50 parking spaces on East Main Street from East Avenue to the Genesee River, officials announced Monday.

Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., plans to push for the Transportation Alternatives Program grant, which would be part of a $2.4 million effort to transform Main Street into a thriving area for pedestrian, retail and commercial activity, Schumer said during a news conference in front of the Bank of America building at 1 East Ave.

“We know have our best chance in over three decades to revitalize Main Street and chart a new, prosperous course forward for downtown Rochester by injecting new energy, new on-street parking, street-level retail, restaurants and housing right in the beating heart of downtown,” Schumer said.

The parking spaces could generate hundreds of thousands of dollars in retail sales for Main Street businesses, support existing redevelopment sites such as Midtown and the Sibley Centre, and attract new retail and commercial activity to Main Street, Schumer said.

Schumer also announced his support for a $1 million in TAP funding for infrastructure improvements along North Avenue in the village of Webster.

Applications for TAP funding are due Wednesday. Awards are expected to be identified this fall.

What You're Saying

Michael Lebowitz at 2:53:07 AM on 6/10/2014

Great use of federal funds. First millions to fill in the inner loop so that more commercial traffic can adversely impact adjacent residential areas.The next generation will be spending federal funds to mitigate the damage done by bringing the inner loop to grade. Now Shume... Read More >

Great use of federal funds. First millions to fill in the inner loop so that more commercial traffic can adversely impact adjacent residential areas.The next generation will be spending federal funds to mitigate the damage done by bringing the inner loop to grade. Now Shumers boasting about spending $32,000 per spot for additional surface parking which takes downtown land away from future development. A political crony must own the adjacent property.

When will he realize that the federal debt threatens future generations and these political pork barrel projects must stop?